Akola recorded 43.6 degree Celsius with a departure of 4.9 degree Celsius than the normal, while the lowest temperature stood at 23.6 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees above the normal.

"Departure (Change) in maximum temperature is moderate while in minimum temperature, it is negligible. It indicates that the moderate heat wave in isolated parts of the state has subsided," he said.

The IMD had yesterday, said, "The change in the direction of northerly winds avoided further escalation of temperature. With warm winds not coming towards Maharashtra, the temperature is expected to subside and it will offer some relief."

Hill station Mahabaleshwar remained coolest in the state on Friday with minimum temperature recorded at 20.4 degrees Celsius.

Wardha in Vidarbha region continued to sizzle at 43.8 degrees Celsius.

Compared to these hot-beds, Mumbai remained relatively cooler yesterday with maximum temperature recorded at 32.2 degree Celsius, while the minimum temperature was 25.8 degree Celsius, down two degrees from the normal.

The maximum and minimum temperatures in suburban Santacruz were registered at 33.8 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius, respectively. Other major cities like Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Jalgaon also reported rise in temperature but within limits.

In Marathwada, Parbhani scorched at 42.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Aurangabad at 40.2 degrees Celsius.